Southeast student hit by Suburban remains in critical condition

A 15-year-old boy remains in critical condition at a local hospital, a day after he darted out into the street and was struck by a Chevy Suburban next to Southeast High School.

The boy, a freshman at Southeast, ran into the street about 30 feet south of a crosswalk on Edgemoor, Wichita police Capt. Brent Allred said. He was taken to Wesley Medical Center for treatment.

Doctors are optimistic that the teen struck by the Suburban will survive, Allred said. The boy suffered internal injuries in the “upper chest area,” he added.

The 37-year-old man driving the gold 1995 Suburban had just picked up two 17-year-old students from the school to take them to lunch and could not stop in time to avoid striking the student, Allred said.

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“At this time there is no indication that speed or impairment was a factor in this accident,” he said.

Southeast has an assembly every year about using the crosswalks next to the school, USD 259 spokeswoman Susan Arensman said in an e-mail response to questions.

“But students and adults will choose to ignore the crosswalks and traffic signals, whether around schools or around town,” Arensman said. “Parents should also take the lead in talking about safe walking behaviors with their children, no matter their age.”